Middle-infrared laser utilizing isotopicaily substituted 15NH3 ammonia molecules

Lasing was observed in the middle infrared range on optical excitation of ¹⁵NH₃ with radiation from a pulsed CO₂ laser. When pure ¹⁵NH₃ was used as the active medium, the emission frequency was 777.16 cm^–1 and the maximum energy was 0.17 J. A mixture of ammonia with nitrogen emitted 16 lines in the range 740–860 cm^–1 and the maximum efficiency was 6%.